| Family: |
Alosidae (Shads and Sardines) |
| Max. size: |
33 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-neritic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic: Beaufort, North Carolina, to Indian River, Florida; Gulf of Mexico (Florida Bay to Louisiana, with possible break between Biscayne Bay and Florida Bay) (Ref. 188). Hybridize with B. tyrannus and B. patronus (Ref. 84218). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Scutes apparent along belly; upper jaw with median notch. Pelvic fin with oblique and almost straight hind margin, the inner fin rays markedly shorter than outer fin rays when fin folded back. Pre-dorsal scales modified; scales in lateral series small and numerous, those on back and above anal fin markedly smaller than rest. A black spot behind gill opening, but none along flank (Ref. 188). Silvery, with a greenish or bluish back. Fins golden yellow (Ref. 7251). |
| Biology: |
A schooling species (but perhaps not in the northern part of its range) occurring inshore and in bays and estuaries. Feeds by filtering phytoplankton. Breeds in winter, probably November through to February or March. Eggs and larvae are planktonic (Ref. 188). Parasitic copepod found in the stomach (Ref. 37032). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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